QUESTIONS ON MACBETH

NOTE: You are given homework not as a form of punishment, but because it is
important for you to work independently in order to gain knowledge and
understanding of the plot, theme, and character in Macbeth. If you do your
homework diligently and on a regular basis, then you will not have to cram come
tests and exams…Simply waiting for the memorandum to be shown to you without
trying to do the questions on your own (or with a friend) is almost pointless and is no
substitute for thinking it through for yourself!

Act 1 Scene 1
- The play opens with a storm in a ‘desert place’ or ‘wasteland’.
- Three Witches are discussing when they shall meet again.
- They mention Macbeth’s name and a battle
Questions

1. What atmosphere is created by the words used in this scene? Quote to

substantiate your answer. (3)
2. What are the witches planning to do? (1)
3. What does the atmosphere of this scene suggest about the rest of the play to
follow? (2)
4. Write down three things based on this scene that we can expect from the
play. (3)
5. What do you understand by their words ‘fair is foul and foul is fair’ (2)
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Act 1 Scene 2
- King Duncan is waiting for news of the battles.
- A wounded soldier arrives and describes Macbeth’s bravery in overcoming the
traitor, Macdonwald.
- He then describes how Macbeth and Banquo had to fight the king of Norway
too, who was assisted by another traitor to King Duncan, the Thane of
Cawdor.
- The Thane of Ross arrives and tells Duncan all is well: Macbeth and Banquo
defeated the rebellion.
- King Duncan orders the traitor’s death and promises to reward Macbeth with
the title of Thane of Cawdor.
Questions
1. Our first impression of Macbeth comes from the Captain’s speech (lines 8 –
23). Discuss what we learn about him. (2)
2. How is this image of Macbeth reinforced by Ross’s description of him as
“that Bellona’s bridegroom” (line 55)? (2)
 3. Why does Ross say ‘God save the King’ as he enters? (2)
4. Describe the battle in your own words. (2)
5. What two decisions does Duncan make after hearing of the defeat of the
enemy? Quote a line to support your answer. (3)
6. What theme is echoed in the final words of Duncan here: “What he hath
lost, noble Macbeth hath won’? (line 70) (2)

Act 1 Scene 3
- The Witches meet again. They are talking about what evil deeds they have
been up to since we last saw them.
- A drum announces the approach of Macbeth and Banquo.
- Banquo sees the Witches first and says that they do not seem to belong to the
earth.
- Macbeth asks the Witches to speak to them.
- The Witches call Macbeth by three titles: Glamis, Cawdor and King. At
present, he is only Thane of Glamis.
- They declare that Banquo will never be king himself but that his heirs will be
kings.
- Almost as soon as the Witches are gone Ross and Angus arrive and tell
Macbeth that Duncan has given him the title of Thane of Cawdor.
- In his first soliloquy Macbeth tells the audience his thoughts. He thinks that if
he already has two of the titles promised him by the Witches, he could make
the third happen quickly. He is then horrified by his own thoughts.
- Macbeth and Banquo agree to discuss their encounter with the Witches later.
Questions
1. Describe the three witches in your own words. (3)
2. Notice the Witches’ sheer enjoyment of their evil in the opening lines. What
does this suggest about their plans for Macbeth who they will shortly be
meeting? (2)
3. Discuss how Macbeth and Banquo differ in their reactions to the Witches? (3)
4. Quote Macbeth’s opening words (line 37). What is ironic about them? (3)
5. With what three titles do the Witches greet Macbeth? Explain how each one
applies or will apply to him. (3)
6. What do the witches ask Banquo when he asks them to speak to him? (2)
7. Explain why Banquo says, ‘What, can the devil speak true?’ (line 105) (2)
8. Note carefully the different responses of Macbeth and Banquo to the situation
that has arisen (lines 113 – 125). What is Macbeth thinking, and what
important advice does Banquo give him? (3)
9. Look carefully at Macbeth’s asides at this point, i.e. the thoughts he speaks
aloud to himself. With what exactly is he struggling? (2)
Act 1 Scene 4
- Malcolm reports to King Duncan that the Thane of Cawdor has been executed
and that he died repentant.
- Macbeth enters and Duncan thanks him for his loyalty. Macbeth says that he
ought to be loyal to his king.
- Duncan proclaims his son Malcolm as his heir.
- Macbeth realises that there is now an obstacle to his own desire to become
king.
- Macbeth has made the decision to kill his king.

1. Explain what is meant by ‘Nothing in his life/ Became him like the leaving it’
(lines 7 – 8) (2)
2. What does Duncan mean by his words ‘There’s no art To find the mind’s
construction in the face’ and to whom is he referring? (2)
3. What promise does Duncan make to Macbeth? (lines 28 -29) (2)
4. When he then announces that his son Malcolm will be heir to the throne, how
does Macbeth respond to this news? (lines 48 – 50). (2)
5. What are Macbeth’s black and deep desires and what do these words of his
reveal of his intentions at this point? (3)

Act 1 Scene 5
- Lady Macbeth receives a letter from her husband telling her about the
Witches.
- Her ambition is as great as her husband’s but her determination is more fixed.
- She knows her husband’s nature and wills him to come home quickly so that
she can pressure him into taking what they both want (the crown).
- Macbeth arrives and tells her that Duncan will be visiting them that very night.
- Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to leave everything to her and that Duncan will
not leave the castle again.
Questions
 1. What does Macbeth’s letter to his wife suggest about the nature of his
relationship with her? (2)
2. What is Lady Macbeth’s immediate reaction to the Witches’ prophecy? (2)
3. What is it in her husband’s nature that she fears will prevent him from
becoming king? (2)
4. What does she plan to do to combat this problem? (3)
5. Look closely at Lady Macbeth’s ‘Come, you spirits..’ speech. Sum up what it
is she is asking the spirits to do to her, and then say briefly what your
impression is of her at this point. (3)
6. What exactly does Lady Macbeth have in mind for Duncan? Quote to support
your answer. (2)
7. What advice does she give Macbeth for the night ahead? (2)
8. What evidence is there at this point that Macbeth has some doubts and that
Lady Macbeth is the one who will take control? (3)

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Act 1 Scene 6
- The king arrives at Macbeth’s castle and comments on what a pleasant and
welcoming place it seems.
- Lady Macbeth welcomes him and outlines all the reasons why she and her
husband should look after him well.
- They ask where Macbeth is and Duncan repeats that he looks on Macbeth
with favour and shall reward him further.
Questions
1. How is the effect of this scene influenced by what you know of the Macbeths’
plans at this stage? (4)

Act 1 Scene 7
- Macbeth lets the audience into his thoughts in a soliloquy about how he feels
as he waits for the time to murder his king to arrive.
- He seems to decide to ‘proceed no further in this business’ and tells his wife
so.
- Macbeth quickly replies that he is man enough for the job.
- Lady Macbeth declares that she knows more about manliness than he does
and would keep her promise no matter what.
- Macbeth questions whether they might fail and she tells him her exact plans
for the murder.
- He finds himself agreeing to do it and admires her strength and resolve
Questions
1. In his soliloquy Macbeth considers the consequences of the deed they
have planned and questions whether or not it is worth it. Read it carefully
and write down each of the reasons he gives as to why he should not kill
Duncan. (3)
2. What is the ONLY reason he has for not killing the king? (1)
3. What decision does he come to after considering all these points? Quote
for your answer.
4. What then makes him change his mind? (1)
5. Look at how Lady Macbeth persuades her husband. On which of his
emotions does she play? (1)
6. What evidence is there that Lady Macbeth has been successfully
‘unsexed’? (2)
7. What are the details of her plan to kill Duncan? (2)
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Act 2
Summary
The whole of this act is concerned with the murder and the discovery thereof. After
exchanging a few brief words with Banquo, Macbeth goes to Duncan’s room to
commit the murder. Lady Macbeth waits for him and, when he emerges with the
blood-stained daggers, she reprimands him and takes them back to Duncan’s room
herself. Macbeth is clearly already affected by what he has done. Macduff arrives
at this point and the murder is soon discovered. Duncan’s two sons, Malcolm and
Donalbain, fear for their lives and flee from Scotland. The act concludes with an old
man talking of the strange events which accompanied Duncan’s death, the fact that
the late king’s sons are suspected of this murder, and that Macbeth is about to be
crowned King of Scotland.

Act 2 Scene 1
- Banquo and his son, Fleance, are outside and commenting on how dark it is
that night.
- Macbeth lies to Banquo and tries to test him to see if he will stay loyal to
Macbeth.
- Banquo sticks to his h0nesty and goes inside.
- Macbeth hallucinates in his feverish excitement as he waits for Lady
Macbeth’s bell, imagining that he sees a dagger full of blood in front of him.
- He also notices the darkness of the night and how appropriate that is to evil
doings.
 - Lady Macbeth rings the bell and Macbeth knows it is time to send Duncan to
heaven or hell.
Questions
1. Banquo says that he cannot sleep. Why do you think he is feeling so uneasy?
2. Do Macbeth and Banquo speak to each other as if they are close friends?
3. Under what conditions does Banquo say he will listen to Macbeth’s advice?
See lines 25 – 30
4. Macbeth imagines that he sees a dagger before his eyes. What does this
suggest about his state of mind? Quote to support your answer.
5. Explain Macbeth’s metaphor about Murder (lines 52 – 56).
6. How would you describe Macbeth’s attitude to Duncan, as seen in his parting
words (‘Hear it not…or to hell’)?

Act 2 Scene 2

- Lady Macbeth is on edge, waiting for Macbeth to return from the King’s
chamber.
- She says she would have killed the King herself if he had not looked like her
father as he slept.
- Macbeth comes in and is in quite a state because he could not pray with the
King’s sons.
- He knows he is now damned and will never sleep easily again nor wash the
blood off his hands.
- Lady Macbeth takes control again and goes to make the grooms look guilty
and wash up the evidence.
- Macbeth regrets killing Duncan.

Questions

1) Which words of Lady Macbeth’s suggest that she has not lost her humanity or
compassion completely?
2) When Macbeth enters, what suggests that he is afraid?
3) What does Macbeth tell his wife that he has just experienced? (Refer to lines
22 – 36) AND What does this reveal of Macbeth’s state of mind?
4) What is Lady Macbeth’s advice to him and what is ironic about it?
5) Why does Macbeth refuse to return the daggers to Duncan’s room?
6) What does Lady Macbeth call him then (line 52) and what is the significance of
this in terms of her earlier manipulation of her husband?
7) a) How would you describe Lady Macbeth’s tone when she says that it is ‘the
eye of childhood that fears a painted devil’?
b) Quote another line from the scene where she shows this same attitude to
Macbeth.
8) Notice the different responses to the blood on their hands (lines 60/1 and 67).
What does each response reveal about heir characters?
 9) What does Macbeth mean about his and the seas (lines 61 – 63) and what is
the significance of his words?
10) What is Macbeth’s attitude to Duncan at the end of this scene?

Act 2 Scene 3

- The porter is called to open the gate late at night and he is very drunk and
talkative.
- Macduff and Lennox have arrived early (as the King had asked them to) and
they make jokes with the porter)
- Macbeth comes to the door and says he will take them to Duncan’s room.
- Lennox tells of how unusual the night was: everything was strange and
unnatural.
- Macduff discovers the murdered king and tells the others, who are in shock.
- Lady Macbeth comes in and faints when she hears that Macbeth has gone
beyond their plan and has killed the grooms in their beds.

Questions

1) The porter scene is extremely amusing. Why do you think Shakespeare

includes a funny scene at this point?
2) Explain in your own words the porter’s ‘philosophy ‘ on alcohol (lines 22 -26)
3) What does Lennox tell Macbeth about the night that has just passed (lines 45
– 52)? Make particular reference to the idea of equivocation, which is an
important theme in the play.
4) Explain the irony in Macbeth’s words ‘It was a rough night’.
5) What does Macduff mean by ‘Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope The
Lord’s anointed temple…?
6) What do you think of Lady Macbeth’s response to the news of Duncan’s
murder: ‘What, in our house?’?
7) What is the difference in the way Macbeth and Macduff break the news of their
father’s death to Malcolm and Donalbain? Refer to their use of language
(lines 97 -99)
8) What additional killing has now taken place and why?
9) Why does Lady Macbeth ‘appear to faint’ after Macbeth’s explanation?
10) What does Banquo suggest they should all do and what does he promise to
do with God’s help? (lines 116 – 122)
11) What might be the consequence of their decision to do this?
Act 2 Scene 4

- Ross and an old man are outside the castle talking about the strange things
that happened during the night of the murder.
- Nature seems to have mirrored the deeds inside the castle.
- Macduff arrives and tells them that the King’s sons seem to have been guilty
of setting the grooms to murder Duncan.
- Ross realises that Macbeth is next in line to be king.
- Macduff says he will not go to Scone to see Macbeth crowned.

Questions

1) What are the various ‘unnatural’ events that have taken place in the wake of
Duncan’s murder?
2) Who is now believed to have killed Duncan, according to Macduff?
3) What suggests that Macduff has his suspicions about the king-to-be,
Macbeth?

Act 3
Summary

Macbeth is now king of Scotland – he has what he wanted and yet he discovers that
he feels threatened. All his subsequent actions are attempts to secure his position,
and the first of these is the murder of Banquo, and attempt to stop Banquo’s heirs
from becoming kings as the witches promised. We also see Macbeth and his wife
drifting apart: she is quite unable to calm him when Banquo’s ghost appears (to
Macbeth only) at a banquet which they are holding. Macbeth’s behaviour at this
banquet arouses and confirms suspicions about him and Macbeth decides that he
will have to seek advice from the witches. Meanwhile, in England, Malcolm has
been joined by Macduff and they are hoping to secure help from the English king to
deal with Macbeth.
Act 3 Scene 1

1) Look closely at Banquo’s opening speech. What are his suspicions about
Macbeth and his hopes for himself?
2) What is the significance of the questions that Macbeth asks Banquo in lines
18, 23 and 35?
3) Explain the double irony in ‘Fail not our feast’ and ‘My lord, I will not’ (lines 27
and 28)
4) Why does Macbeth refer to Malcolm and Donalbain as ‘our bloody cousins’
(line 29)
5) Macbeth’s soliloquy (lines 47 – 71) deals mainly with his feelings of insecurity.
6) a) Who does Macbeth blame for the suffering of the two murderers and why
does he do this?
b) In what way is his persuasion of the murderers like that which Lady
Macbeth used on him earlier in the play?
7) What exactly does Macbeth want the murderers to do for him?

Act 3 Scene 2

- Lady Macbeth is aware that she and her husband are not content in their new
powerful positions.
- She is more concerned that Macbeth is behaving like a guilty man, not like a
king, so she tries to persuade him to be cheerful at the feast.
- Macbeth hints that Banquo will be ‘dealt with before daybreak’ but does not
take his wife fully into his confidence.

Questions

1) Is Lady Macbeth satisfied with what they have achieved? Give a reason for
your answer, with reference to lines 4 – 7.
2) Explain the image of the ‘snake’ (lines 13 – 15) that Macbeth uses. To whom
does it apply?
3) Quote the phrases from Macbeth’s speech (lines 16 – 26) which reveal that he
has lost all peace of mind.
4) Why does Macbeth envy the late king Duncan?
5) What makes it clear in this scene that Macbeth and his wife are no longer the
‘partners in crime’ that they were earlier?
6) ‘Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill’ (line 55)
This becomes the motto by which Macbeth lives from now on.
What does he mean and do you think he is right or wrong?
Act 3 Scene 3

- Macbeth has sent a third murderer to make sure the other two dot their job.
- They attack Banquo and kill him.
- But Banquo has shouted to Fleance to run away and he escapes.
Questions
1) Originally Macbeth organised for two murderers to lie in wait for Banquo. Why
do you think he has sent a third along?
2) What is the significance of the fact that Fleance escapes? (In your answer,
bear in mind the witches’ prophecies to Banquo).

Act 3 Scene 4
- Macbeth greets his guests at the feast and tells them to sit in order of
importance.
- One of the murderers arrives at the door and reports that Banquo is dead but
that Fleance has escaped.
- Lady Macbeth tries to keep Macbeth playing the good host.
- Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost sitting in the chair reserved for Banquo.
- Macbeth speaks to the ghost but no one else can see it so they think he is
mad.
- Lady Macbeth hurries the guests out of the room.
- Macbeth declares that he will seek out the Witches to find out the worst that
will happen.
Questions
1. Explain the irony in the first murderer calling Macbeth ‘royal sir’ when he tells
him that Fleance escaped (line 20).
2. What details reveal the bloodthirsty nature of the murderers?
3. How does Macbeth console himself about Fleance for the moment? (lines 30 –
32)
4. At what point does Macbeth see Banquo’s ghost? Quote the words spoken by
one of the guests that reveal this.
5. Notice that Macbeth’s first words to Banquo’s ghost are ‘Thou canst not say I
did it’. What does this reveal about him?
 6. Explain why Banquo’s locks are ‘gory’.
7. How does Lady Macbeth try to explain her husband’s strange behaviour at
first?
8. Lady Macbeth asks her husband if he is a man (line 59), accusing him once
more of cowardice. What, according to her, is the link between his behaviour
here and his earlier actions before the killing of Duncan?
9. What do the guests actually Macbeth doing in this scene? If you were them,
what conclusions would you draw from his behaviour?
10. a. How does Lady Macbeth try and prevent her guests from finding out
too much?
b. What does this reveal about her?
11. Look closely at the exchange between Macbeth and his wife after their
guests leave.
a. What reveals that neither of them are sleeping well?
b. What has upset Macbeth about Macduff and what does he hint at doing
about it?
c. What reveals that he intends to go on killing? Quote his words for your
answer.

Act 3 Scene 5
- The witches meet the Queen of the Witches, Hecate.
- She is cross that the other three Witches have been dealing with Macbeth and
have left her out of it.
- She tells them to meet Macbeth again and she will prepare a spell.
Questions
1) This scene, showing the meeting of the three witches with Hecate, their
queen, is often omitted from the play because it is believed that it was not
written by Shakespeare. If your edition includes it, then explain what insights
Hecate has about Macbeth.
2) What reveals that the witches’ intention is to destroy Macbeth?

Act 3 Scene 6
- Lennox talks to another nobleman about the strange deaths of Duncan and
Banquo and how their sons are being blamed.
- He says that Macbeth is a tyrant to be feared.
- He asks where Macduff is because Macbeth has sent for Macduff.
- The Lord says that Malcolm, Duncan’s son, is in England getting support for
an army to take the crown from Macbeth.
 - Lennox concludes that their country is suffering under a tyrant who must be
stopped.
Questions
1. a. Describe Lennox’s tone in his words to the nobleman.
b. What point is he making about Macbeth?
2. a. What information does the lord give concerning the whereabouts and
intentions of Malcolm and Macduff?
b. What does all this mean for Macbeth and Scotland?

Act 4
Summary
Macbeth visits the witches who lead him to believe that he cannot be conquered.
Despite this seeming consolation, Macbeth’s fear of Macduff leads him to arrange
the killing of Macduff’s family, an act which makes Macduff even more determined to
destroy Macbeth. It is clear that the forces against Macbeth are becoming
stronger…

Act 4 Scene 1
- The witches are brewing up a spell.
- Macbeth arrives and addresses them boldly.
- Macbeth asks them to use their powers to tell him his future.
- They ask if he wants to hear it or see it in visions.
- He asks to see it and three apparitions appear and speak in riddles.
- Macbeth chooses to believe that he is safe at last as king but demands to
know if Banquo’s heir will inherit the crown.
- As the witches disappear, Lennox arrives and reports that Macduff has fled to
England.
- Macbeth is ready to act against Macduff’s family now.
Questions
1. What do the witches refer to Macbeth as (line 50) and what is significant about
this?
2. a. In your own words, describe each of the three apparitions and their advice
to Macbeth.
 b. What is the real symbolism and significance of each of them? (You might
want to come back to this question after you have read the rest of the play)
3. What does Macbeth’s decision to kill Macduff (line 88)?
4. Macbeth is pleased with what the witches show him until the show of eight
kings’. What angers him about this apparition?
5. Explain the irony in Macbeth’s words about the witches when he says ‘[be]
damned all those that trust them’.
6. a. What is Macbeth’s reaction to the news of Macduff’s flight to England?
7. b. Explain how the once ‘infirm of purpose’ Macbeth has changed, and quote
to support your answer.

Act 4 Scene 2
- Lady Macduff is angry with her husband for being away at this time and
leaving them alone and unprotected.
- Ross tells her as he leaves that no one is to be trusted but that her husband is
wise and good.
- Lady Macduff talks to her son as if Macduff is already dead, and her son’s
answers are wise beyond his years.
- A messenger arrives to tell Lady Macduff to run away but here is no time for
that as murderers come in and kill both mother and son.
Questions
1. How does Ross’s view of Macduff’s flight to England differ from that of Lady
Macduff?
2. What reveals that Macduff’s young son believes his father was not a traitor?

Act 4 Scene 3
- Macduff and Malcolm are discussing what has become of their land under
Macbeth, and what to do about it.
- Malcolm tests Macduff’s honesty, loyalty and goodness and finds him to be
true.
- Ross arrives and, at first, cannot tell Macduff what horror has happened at his
home.
- Macduff mourns his wife and children.
- They are ready to go to fight Macbeth to the death.
Questions
 1. Malcolm is not sure whether he can trust Macduff. To be certain, he first tells
Macduff that if he (Malcolm) were king, he would be far worse a ruler than
Macbeth.
a. What dreadful qualities does he say he has?
b. How does Macduff respond to these claims?
c. What finally reassures Malcolm that he can trust Macduff?
2. Is Malcolm really such an awful man? Refer to lines 123 to 132 for your
answer.
3. What help has England offered Scotland? (lines 189 – 191).
4. Ross is once more the bringer of bad news. What shows his reluctance to tell
Macduff about his family?
5. How does Shakespeare convey the depth of Macduff’s grief at the news of his
family’s slaughter?
6. What does Malcolm encourage Macduff to do with his grief?
7. Quote Macduff’s words which show that he is more resolved than ever to
destroy Macbeth.

Act 5
Summary
The sleepwalking of Lady Macbeth reveals the extent to which the murder of
Duncan and its consequences have tormented her, and she is finally driven to
suicide. Meanwhile, Macbeth prepares for battle against the approaching English
forces, and the reassurances of the witches begin to pale as he sees what appears
to be Birnam Wood approaching his castle. The final confrontation between
Macbeth and Macduff is inevitable, and when they face each other, Macbeth learns
the awful truth about Macduff not being ‘of woman born’. He realises he has been
deceived by the witches and, with only his own strength to rely on, he and Macduff
fight until Macbeth is killed. Finally, Malcolm is reinstated as the rightful king of
Scotland.

Act 5 Scene 1

- Lady Macbeth’s gentlewoman has called the doctor to watch lady Macbeth
because she has been sleepwalking.
- Lady Macbeth enters, asleep but talking and rubbing her hands.
- Lady Macbeth betrays her guilt and remorse in her sleepwalking and the
doctor is worried for her.
Questions
 1. Why do you think the gentlewoman is reluctant to report on what she has
heard Lady Macbeth saying while sleepwalking?
2. Notice that Lady Macbeth ‘has light by her continually’ (line 18). How has she
changed from the earlier part of the play where we saw her calling ‘thick night’
down upon her?
3. a. What is it that makes her rub her hands so much?
b. When she said, after Duncan’s murder, that a little water clears us of this
deed’, what did she fail to take into account?
4. Why are her words ‘Hell is murky’ (line 33) so particularly ghastly?
5. Which of the Macbeth’s crimes do you recognise from the words she speaks in
this scene?
6. Notice how her earlier ‘What’s done is done’ (3.2) has now changed to ‘What’s
done cannot be undone’ (line 62).
7. a. What diagnosis does the doctor have for Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking, and
what does he think she needs?
b. Why can’t she have what she really needs?

Act 5 Scene 2

- The thanes who are joining Malcolm, Macduff and their allies are going to
meet the army near Birnam Wood.
- Macbeth is at Dunsinane castle preparing for battle.
- Angus says no on follows Macbeth out of love but because they are
commanded to follow him.

Questions

1. Who are the men in this scene, waiting for the arrival of the English forces?
2. What is the ‘tyrant’, Macbeth, doing in response to the latest rebellion against
him?
3. ‘Now does he feel His secret murders sticking on his hands’ (lines 16 – 17).
What makes this image so effective?
4. Why does Angus refer to Macbeth as a ‘dwarfish thief’ (line 22)?
5. What is the ultimate intention of these men?

Act 5 Scene 3
- Macbeth reassures himself that he is not as vulnerable (able to be wounded or
killed) as he seems because of what the witches revealed to him.
- The doctor reports that Lady Macbeth is sick in her mind.
- Macbeth prepares to fight.
Questions
 1. How would you describe Macbeth’s mood at the start of this scene? Refer to
lines 1 to 12.
2. What other aspect is there to his mood, however? (See lines 19 – 28)
3. a. What is Macbeth asking the doctor to do? (lines 40 – 45).
4. b. Explain the doctor’s response (line 46)
5. In what is Macbeth trusting at his point?

Act 5 Scene 4

- Malcolm tells the soldiers to disguise the fact that they are marching on
Dunsinane by each cutting down a branch and holding it in front of him.
- Malcolm also repeats that Macbeth has no loyal followers; his army is forced
to fight.
- They march off to attack Dunsinane castle.

Questions

1. a. Explain Malcolm’s instruction to his men (lines 6 – 8)

b. What does this make you realise about the first of the witches’ prophecies?
2. From what you see in this scene, and from what you saw of Macbeth in the
previous one, which side is most likely to be victorious? Give reasons for your
answer.

Act 5 Scene 5

- Macbeth is rallying his men under is officer, Seyton, when a noise of women’s
cries is heard.
- Seyton goes to investigate and returns with the news that Lady Macbeth has
died.
- Macbeth cannot spare time to grieve for her but voices his despair at the
fruitlessness of life.
- He is then told that Birnam Wood is moving towards the castle.
- Macbeth is resolved that, despite this major setback, he will still fight to the
end.

Questions

1. In his opening lines, what reveals Macbeth’s confidence in the face of the
approaching armies?
 2. Why is Macbeth not startled by the cry of women that he hears? Comment on
how his sensitivity has changed since the start of the play.
3. ‘She should have died hereafter’ (line 17). Explain what Macbeth means here
and what sort of reaction he seems to have to the news of his wife’s death.
4. ‘Tomorrow and tomorrow’ (lines 19 – 28): this famous speech from the play
sums up what life is now like for Macbeth.
a. Explain what his words reveal of his feelings.
b. Suggest what tone Macbeth would be using here. (Read the passage aloud
to reveal how the rhythm almost dictates the tone).
5. How does Macbeth react to the news of the apparently moving wood and what
does he begin to suspect?
6. Despite his feelings of despair and hopelessness, Macbeth still manages to
remain determined and courageous in the face of attack. What reveals this?

Act 5 Scene 6

- The time for deception is over; it’s time to fight.

- Siward is given command of the first attack.
- Macduff and Malcolm will lead the rest.
- Macbeth realises he is outnumbered and his army will be defeated.
- He tests the witches’ final prophecy by challenging to single combat any man
not born of woman.
- Young Siward answers the challenge and dies.
- MacDuff enters alone and swears to take revenge for his family’s death and to
fight Macbeth himself.
- Many of Macbeth’s army have changed sides and are fighting for Malcolm.
- Macbeth fights anyone who comes against him but is reluctant to fight Macduff
when challenged.
- Macbeth tells MacDuff that MacDuff cannot win because none born of woman
will beat Macbeth.
- Macduff says he was cut out of his mother’s womb before his due time to be
born.
- They fight and Macbeth is killed.
- Macduff presents Malcolm with Macbeth’s head on a stick.
- The battle is over and Malcolm will be crowned king.

Questions

1. a. In what is Macbeth trusting as he prepares to face the enemy alone?

b. How does the death of Young Siward reinforce this?
2. Why is it so important to Macduff that HE be the one to kill Macbeth?
3. What, according to Siward and Malcolm, has made their task of defeating
Dunsinane so easy?
4. Macbeth may have had some regrets, but what reveals that his
bloodthirstiness is still very evident at the start of this scene?
5. Why does Macbeth say he has avoided Macduff so far? (Do you think he says
this out of remorse, or fear?).
6. After some fighting between them, Macbeth tells Macduff of his ‘charmed life’.
How does Macduff’s reply reveal the final trick that the witches have played on
Macbeth?
7. a. What does Macbeth finally realise about the witches and what they have
done to him?
8. b. Compare his words here with those said by Banquo in Act 1 Scene 3 lines
123 – 126. What do you notice?
9. Macbeth, defeated by those in whom he trusted, has only himself to rely upon
now. What is his final attitude as he goes into the fight with Macduff?
10. a. Ross is the bearer of bad news again. What does he have to tell
Siward?
b. With what does Siward console himself after hearing this news?
11. Malcolm is hailed as the rightful king of Scotland at last. What does he
plan to do as king?
12. Malcolm refers to the Macbeth’s as ‘this dead butcher and his fiend-like
queen’. Do you agree with this description of each of them? Give reasons for
your answers.